Supersonic Transports. A Preliminary Study of Airworthiness, Operations, and Maintenance Standards

摘要

New ranges of speed, temperature and environmental conditions require that extensive research and development be done before a reliable and economic civil supersonic transport can be produced. Specific civil supersonic trans port airframe and engine designs cannot be established until more factual information is obtained on the sonic boom - the effect of aircraft weight, attenuation with altitude, the effect of maneuvers and meteorological variations, and public acceptance. The usefulness of the supersonic transport will be vitally related to navigational facilities, airports, and traffic control. Delays would not only reduce the block speed but would also substantially reduce the payload by increasing the fuel required. The achievement of acceptable low speed characteristics represents a major problem whether accomplished with fixed structural geometry, or by variable sweep. Propulsion cycle studies must be continued in order to obtain the optimum compromise of adequate thrust for takeoff, transsonic acceleration and cruise, compatible with acceptable specific fuel consumption and takeoff noise.